GO TO TAKSIM FROM ATATURK AIRPORT EASIER, FASTER AND CHEAPER BY METRO ● TURKEY TRAVEL JOURNAL

To go to Taksim square from Ataturk airport by metro is always easier than Sabiha Gokcen airport which is located on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Important notice! Ataturk airport is no longer operating. Please check Istanbul new airport transportation guide.

• If your destination or hotel is in Sultanahmet Blue Mosque area, read how to go to Sultanahmet from Ataturk airport post.

If you feel lazy to read all the article, just follow the Google destinations alike explanation at the end of the post. Or download the free pdf file "Istanbul transportation guide" and read later.

• Read my posts about how to reach to different destinations and how to buy Istanbulkart?

Go to Taksim from Ataturk airport

After the luggage claim at the international arrivals, you will see many welcomers of airport transfer services or shuttle buses waiting to pick up their guests.

• Read about  Istanbul airport Havatas buses - Istanbul shared shuttle service - Istanbul Private airport transfer service - taxis and taxi scams in Istanbul

Once you see them, turn right and follow the hall until you reach the elevators.

• Important! Do not go out of the airport yet. Stay inside the arrival hall and walk right.

When you get to the elevator area, you will directly see the direction signs to Metro. It's -2nd (minus 2nd) floor and there is a tiny signboard inside the elevator that shows the -2 button and shows M1 metro line. Go out of the elevator on the -2nd floor, pass the police check and follow the signboard again towards the right and you will directly see the main station.

Ataturk airport working hours: 06:00-00:00
That's also where you will buy your Istanbulkart if you don't have any.

After you buy your Istanbulkart you can get into metro.
Now, there are 2 ways to go to Taksim from Ataturk airport that I highly recommend. These are most convenient, fastest and safest ways.

• 1st way: M1 Metro & M2 Metro

When Metro reaches at Aksaray simply keep walking by following the signboards. Marmaray metro and M2 Taksim- Haciosman metro line is your destination. Do not get into Marmaray though (unless you want to step on Asian lands). They are in the same place but you need M2 Taksim metro. Get in!

The 3rd station is Taksim square.

1st Golden Horn
2nd Sishane
3rd Taksim

• 2nd way and longer way: M1 Metro & T1 Tram & F1 Funicular

This way is recommended if you have plenty of time and if you want to go inside to the city. You will pass through Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Eminonu ( Harbour and Spice Bazaar area) and Kabatas ( Bosphorus).
This time you get out of M1 Metro at Zeytinburnu station and make interchange to T1 tram line. Make sure you get into the "Kabatas" tram. Some of them go only half way and return.
This trip will be the one that you will mostly enjoy. Try to get a window side seat.
When you reach Kabatas you will see the Taksim F1 Funicular sign. I feel like hearing you say, what is funicular? Well, it's simply an underground cable car. Just a little bit bigger in capacity. It goes up to Taksim square.

Instructions to go to Taksim from Ataturk airport.

- Go out of luggage claim area ( but don't go outside the airport)
- Turn right and walk down the hall
- Find elevators at the end of the hall
- Get to -2nd floor (minus 2nd)
- Go out of the elevator and police control area and turn right again.
- Walk Straight and reach the main station
- Buy your Istanbulkart and get into metro
- Go until Aksaray ( last station)
- Make interchange to Taksim- Haciosman metro line by following the signboards ( Stay inside the station, do not go out)

You are at Taksim center. Congratulations. Enjoy your holiday in Istanbul !

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